Drought Vulnerability of Illinois' Community Surface Water Systems, Illinois State Water Survey

Illinois Drought

Carthage

System Information

System Description

Water from Carthage Lake can reach the treatment plant via gravity flow at up to 1,200 gpm, but the treatment plant only can process 600 gpm due to turbidity. Water from the Mississippi River also is purchased from Hamilton.

Satellite Communities and Water Districts

None
Locator map for Carthage

Population Served:

2725

County:

Hancock

Watersheds:

Mississippi No. Central
Water Source
Name Type Stream DA (sq mi) SA (ac) Capacity Year Est. Est. 2010 Cap. (ac-ft)
Carthage Lake IR Long Cr Trib 3.07 37 487.1 1981 336.6
Hamilton CWS SWP Mississippi R

1989 Study:

50-year drought yield sufficient at present level of water use.

USGS Gages:

No data available

Developments since 1989:

The 2005 drought lingered in Carthage through March 2007. Bulk water sales were banned, but car washes were not shut off and lawn watering restrictions were often not enforced. Bidding for a new transmission line from Hamilton is underway. The viability of a deep well system also is being explored.
Chart of Annual Raw Water Production (mgd)
Note: *Carthage abandoned its wells after 1990. Daily purchases from Hamilton were as high as 0.18 mgd during the 2005 drought.

Notes and Terminology

Vulnerability Report

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Illinois State Water Survey

2204 Griffith Dr., MC-674
Champaign, IL 61820-7463
217-333-2210
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